Can Gorillas Swim? Are gorillas afraid of water?

Why gorillas cannot swim: Gorillas and Their Habitat

Gorillas are naturally live in the dense forests and mountain ranges of Africa, specifically in regions like the Bwindi impenetrable forest of Uganda, Rwanda’s Volcanoes Forest, and the Congo’s Virunga Gorilla forest.

These habitats are made of thick vegetation that offers sufficient plants for food and shelter with very little exposure to waters.

While water sources exist in such habitat, gorillas rarely drink water because of the plants they feed on that has sufficient nutrients making water somewhat unnecessary, should gorillas need water, they will stick to the shallow water areas.

Because they evolved in these environments, swimming has never been a necessary skill. Unlike animals that rely on water for survival or movement, gorillas adapted to terrestrial life.

Physical Adaptations

Several physical traits make swimming difficult for gorillas:

Body structure: Gorillas have a dense body mass with powerful upper bodies and relatively shorter legs. This could make floating and swimming challenging.

Breathing: Like humans, gorillas can’t hold their breath for extended periods. A lack of practice means they’re less likely to try navigating water.

Grip and movement: Their hands and feet are designed for climbing and grasping, not for paddling through water.

These physical features are perfectly suited for their natural habitat but limit their ability to move through deep water.

Are gorillas afraid of Water?

Yes, gorillas are greatly afraid and generally avoid water unless absolutely necessary. You’ll often see them:

Wading: Gorillas may step into shallow streams or puddles to cool off or access food. They’re careful to stay in areas where their feet can touch the bottom. Gorillas will avoid sinking or anything that will require them to swim.

Drinking: Gorillas rarely drink water, but if they must, they only drink water directly from streams, often using their hands as cups.

This cautious approach to water is learned behavior and the infant gorillas imitate the adults, who instinctively avoid deep water due to safety concerns.

Can gorillas swim?

Have Gorillas Ever Swum?

Yes, it’s important to know that gorillas are intelligent animals and can learn. In captivity, it’s very possible for a gorilla to be taught how to swim.

Captive examples: In zoos, some gorillas have been seen learning to swim in shallow pools. Caretakers provide safe conditions, allowing them to explore water without fear.

Wild observations: There’s no reliable evidence of wild gorillas swimming. Their natural environment doesn’t require it, so the behavior remains absent.

While other great apes, like chimpanzees and orangutans, also struggle with swimming, gorillas are particularly cautious due to their size and physical structure. 

Comparison with Other Primates

Here’s how gorillas compare to other primates when it comes to swimming:

A trained Chimpanzee swimming in a Swimming pool